War in Ancient India c9.s3.t1.13

c9.s3.t1.13

We have a good description of the siege of the Lanka fortress in the *Rāmāyaṇa*. Hearing that Rāma was approaching with vast monkey hosts, Rāvaṇa stationed very brave men to defend the four gates of his citadel, himself defending the northern gate.⁶⁷ The monkey warriors with trees and rocks destroyed the upper portions of the great walls and filled the moat with trees, rocks and straw.⁶⁸ Several thousands of monkeys under their leaders made an onslaught against the gateways. But the Rākṣasas hurled incessantly innumerable darts and Bhindipālas from the walls. Gradually all the Rākṣasas were killed. Finding that the city had not fallen, Sugrīva ordered what we may call a mass attack.⁶⁹ Thereupon the monkey-warriors with fire-brands in their hands advanced towards the gates and set fire to them. Some of them entered the city and set fire to the highways and byways as well as the great storied buildings and even the palace. Enraged at this, Indrajit thought of vanquishing the enemy by the use of stratagem.⁷⁰ He brought in his car an illusory figure of Sītā and had her slain in the presence of these monkey-warriors. Then he performed some *homas* and sacrifices at Nikumbhala secretly in order to overwhelm the enemy’s forces and rout them thoroughly. But it was discovered, and he was soon killed by Lakṣmaṇa. It may be noted also that fire was resorted to only towards the end of the siege and that Rāma very dexterously allied himself with Vibhīṣaṇa who offered to help him. This alliance with an important member of the enemy’s party was, indeed, a clever move which ultimately paid very well. For but for his timely warning Indrajit might have finished his ceremonies at Nikumbhala and proved more than a match for the allies through his prowess and capacity for producing illusions. Lastly, the city was entered and Rāvaṇa was killed in a fierce battle. Thus did Rāma come into possession of the city.